Manteca’s boys basketball team found its shooting stroke early in a Valley Oak League game Friday at Patterson.

The Buffaloes took advantage of their open looks as the host team started out in a zone defense and rolled to a 78-54 win.

“Great shooting night,” Manteca coach Geoff Israel said. “Patterson came out in a zone, and we found the open man and knocked down shot after shot.”

Austin Barnes, who finished with 11 points, set the tone by making three 3-pointers in the opening quarter. The Tigers (1-4, 6-13) then switched to a box-and-1 to cool him off, but that only gave more space to the rest of the Buffaloes (4-1, 10-10).

Johan Peringelil led the way with 18 points and nine rebounds. Jayden Scarver scored 14 points, and Tyler Watkins had 11.

Manteca is part of the Miramonte MLK Showcase today in Orinda. The Buffs face off with Willow Glen (7-7) of San Jose starting at 12:30.

Lathrop 57, Livingston 51

The Spartans (4-1, 8-10 overall) bounced back from their first Western Athletic Conference defeat with the road victory.

Caiden Wisnieski paced them with 23 points and 14 rebounds. Joseph Perkins netted 19 points to go with four boards. Bryan Gamboa chipped in with 10 points and four steals.

Lathrop’s junior varsity squad prevailed, 58-34. The freshmen also won handily, 59-25.

GIRLS SOCCER

Sierra 6, Mountain House 2

The visiting Timberwolves (5-1-0 VOL, 14-3-2 overall) erupted for six second-half goals to blow past a dangerous Mountain House (1-2-3, 1-9-5) squad that has been competitive in most league matches.

Hailey Cruz led the barrage with two goals and two assists. Zoe Sutton also had a brace to go with one assist. Leslie Reyes added one goal and one assist.

Mikaela Delgado contributed a goal, and Maitland Kohoutek an assist. Sierra totaled 21 shots, 17 on frame. Sophomore goalkeeper Abigail Fraser had five saves.

Manteca 1, Central Catholic 0

Makayla Spencer put away the lone goal off an assist from Brooklyn Cornish in the 27th minute at Guss Schmiedt Field. It’s an important win for the Buffaloes (1-5 VOL, 4-11-2 overall) going into the second half of league play.

Goalie Keira McCulley played a key role, as the game opened up in the second half with both sides creating more scoring chances. McCulley fended off the Raiders (2-3-1, 4-8-1) with 12 saves.

Sonora 6, Ripon Christian 1

Decimated by injuries and sickness, the Knights (3-3, 9-5-1 overall) were tasked with a tough Trans-Valley League matchup at Sonora (4-1-1, 6-2-1).

Addison De Jong accounted for Ripon Christian’s lone tally, making 3-1 in the first half. The Knights were more competitive than the final tally indicates. Sonora held a 15-12 advantage on shot attempts, but RC had more corner kicks.

RC begins the second half of the league schedule next Wednesday at home against second-place Hilmar, which edged them out 1-0 in their previous meeting.

BOYS SOCCER

Ripon Christian 5, Sonora 3

The Knights (1-3-2, 6-4-4 overall) have been involved in some absolute barnburners in TVL action, and Friday was no different when Sonora (2-4, 3-10) visited.

Ripon Christian led 3-0 at halftime, but the Wildcats roared back with three unanswered goals in an 8-minute span. Drew Meester scored the game winner in the 66th minute off a pass from Isaiah Vander Woude. The Knights got some needed breathing room in the final minutes thanks to an own goal from Sonora.

Vander Woude ended up with three assists. Matt Dyk, Collin Lecain and Aaron Van Hofwegen each scored in the first half. Talen Tameling pitched in an assist.

Sophomore keeper Wesley Vander Woude had two saves.

JV boys basketball

Manteca 80, Patterson 40

Madden Melendez amassed 23 points in the Buffaloes’ commanding victory.

Shahab Safi joined him in double figures with 18 points, while Estevan Vargas had 15.

JV girls soccer

Sierra 7, Mountain House 0

Kaylee Rodriguez anchored the landslide win for Sierra with a hat trick. Mikayla Mercier added two goals and an assist.

Analia Carillo (assist), Isabella Cruz (goal, two assists) and Scarlett Robertson (goal, two assists) each had scoring contributions. Abigail Garcia recorded three saves.

Frosh boys basketball

Patterson 66, Manteca 22

Anthony Anderson and Brandon Burton led Manteca with eight and six points, respectively.